Since I am heading out of town tomorrow for a long/wedding weekend, I had to squeeze my Active Release Technique (ART) appointments into 3 days.

I just finished {Week 1} of ART and I’m feeling pretty good. I was able to run on Monday (doctor’s orders) – my 1st run in over a week. My foot hurt for the first 0.5 mile but after a couple of minutes, my foot loosened up and I was able to run for 30 minutes (Dr. B said no more than 35 minutes).

My treatment consists of 10-15 minutes of electrical stimulation (stem), followed by 10 minutes of ART. ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. It doesn’t always feel good, and sometimes it actually hurts, but I always walk out feeling better than when I went in. After each session, I have homework. This week I am working on bridges, with raised heels, and leg extensions. Can you picture that, if not – here you go (minus the ball in between my legs):

photo courtesy of www.fitsugar.com

The treatment is fairly intense (and expensive): I go 3/week for 2 weeks, 2/week for 2 weeks. 1/week for 2 weeks and then hopefully (fingers crossed) I’m feeling good enough to go on a maintenance-only basis. Based on my first week of treatment, I am confident that Dr. B will have me running pain free within the next month (to 2 months).

Dr. B – I hope you are reading this because I want to get better sooner rather than later! {wink}

Our team has been chosen and we officially have a team name! HTC 2011 is starting to feel “real” – and I’m {so excited}

Meet…

{drumroll, please}

After-NUUN Delight

(clever tagline) We do it morning, nuun, and night
{running, that is…}

After-NUUN Delight is a team of amazing women – runners, bloggers, mothers, entrepreneurs.  If you want to learn more about my {awesome} nuun-mates, check out their blogs:

Dorothy: www.mile-posts.com
Emily: www.sweatonceaday.com
Alanna: http://www.running42km.blogspot.com/
Mel: http://www.tallmomontherun.com/
Lauren: http://www.healthontherun.net/
Jocelyn: http://enthusiasticrunner.com/
Carrie: http://thismamamakesstuff.com/
Kelly: http://www.according-to-kelly.com/
Megan: http://www.justrunmego.blogspot.com/

This is my first relay (and the first for many of my teammates) so I’m not quite sure what to expect…

Please share your best tip or trick for running a relay!!

Lately, my runs have felt really slow.

And hard.

Not hard as in I’m running at a fast pace, long distance or hill repeats.

But, hard because my muscles hurt and I feel slow & sluggish.

Honestly, it sucks.

So, I thought about it… what aspect(s) of my life, training schedule, or environment are making my runs {slow & hard}?

1. It’s hot and humid in Northern Virginia
I don’t mind the heat. In fact, I actually like the sun and hot summer days (I’m from Florida – what do you expect). But the humidity? That’s what kills me. I walk in from a run feeling like I just jumped into a pool (of sweat). High humidity effects running – it’s plain and simple.
2. The PF Word
I have plantar fasciitus and it hurts (like a mother). I’ve cut back on running but no matter what, the 1st mile always hurts. Like, really hurts. Thankfully, I start acupuncture and Active Release Technique (ART) this week and hope/pray that I see results {soon}
3. Not enough time off
I haven’t told many people this…but I’m not sure I took enough time off after my marathon. Sure, my marathon was 2 months ago, but I was on such a post-race runner’s high after qualifying for Boston that I didn’t want to take any time off. I also did a triathlon 3 weeks after the marathon. I haven’t stopped since. It’s hard not to run, considering its one of my most favorite things to do. But, sometimes, I need to listen to my body.

Often times, “hard” runs are frustrating – and it’s easy to overlook what my body can do (versus what it can’t). Even though my runs feel slow and hard, I’m thankful that I’m able to run (bike & swim). And the even crazier part? My runs aren’t really that slow – they just feel really slow and hard.

I’ll take these slow, hard runs because they prepare me for future runs. When I was marathon training, I ran 17 miles in the freezing, cold rain. It rained the entire run and I was miserable for 17 miles – but that run prepared me for the pain of running a marathon. Had I not experienced the rain-run, I may not have been mentally prepared for my marathon.

I’m thankful for the reminder that {slow & hard} runs build mental toughness and prepare me for challenging runs.

What builds your mental toughness?

I’ll take {slow & hard} runs – as long I can still run!

This time last year I was running around like a crazed bride-to-be, trying to tie up loose ends and get ready for one of the biggest weekends of my life. This year, I’m relaxed – hanging out and drinking wine with my husband….of one year! I can honestly say that I have no idea where the time went – how is it possible that I’ve been married for one year? or 365 days? Our first year was filled with amazing trips (most notably New Zealand ad USVI), lots of laughs, great memories and running a marathon (and a BQ). I’m happy to report that it was a wonderful first year and I can’t wait for many more. {BJ, I love you}

If that wasn’t sappy enough, I’ll also leave you with some of my favorite pictures from the day!

07.03.10 ¤

so excited I can hardly stand it!

man of my dreams!

Husband & wife

My family

Something blue

P.S. I love you; I love you more

Sparkler exit

I have plantar fasciitus.

There, I said it

I know it could be a lot worse – but I’m really not happy about having it. My foot hurts (really hurts) and I can’t run as often as I would like. I better start liking the pool because it looks like I have a date with freestyle.  

I’m pretty sure I know what triggered my PF. Remember when I was marathon training and thought it would be a good idea to test out my racing flats on a 23 mile run over rocks/gravel?! {Read about it HERE} Yea, that wasn’t smart.  My foot doc thinks the lack of support & cushion, while running over rocks and gravel, provoked it.  I knew it wasn’t a good idea at the time, but now I’m really pissed at myself.  Oh well…

I’ve been icing like crazy, wearing the (totally not sexy) Straussburg sock to bed, rubbing my foot over varied objects including (but not limited to): golf ball, tennis ball, and frozen water bottle, wearing orthotics, running less, and doing ultra-sound on my foot.  (Phew, I’m tired just thinking about PF prevention) 

Not even remotely sexy

Please ignore my “grandma feet” – clearly, I am a runner

Votes paid off, I’m on the team!!!

I am SO excited to announce that I was selected for Nuun’s Hood to Coast Team!  Hood to Coast, the “mother of all relays”, is going to be such an amazing experience – and I’m honored to be a part of the 30th Anniversary adventure!  Aside from running 197 miles (with my team), I’m most looking forward to meeting other women bloggers that I “follow” and love. This is going to be epic.

Thanks Nuun – I can’t wait for August!

And, just for good measure, let’s listen to Ke$ha one more time!